Svalbard Science Forum
(SSF)

Arctic Field Grant 2018 allocations

39 projects received funding through the Arctic Field Grant 2018 allocation.

AFG received 77 applications, and 39 projects were completely or partly funded – a success rate of 51 %. Again this year, the majority of the applications were deserving, so it was not an easy task to distribute the funds. We had to reject some very good projects, so not receiving funding does not necessarily mean that you submitted an unacceptable application.

All applications were evaluated administratively by a panel of experts, all of whom have 10-30 years of field experience in Svalbard in relevant scientific fields. The applications were evaluated based on the criteria and priorities in the call for proposals and the terms and conditions established by AFG. Applications with the best grades were funded. Most of the projects that were not funded were not awarded top grades due to errors in the application or because questions in the call for proposals were not answered. Especially the detailed description of the benefits of the cooperation to both institutions, the link to SSF strategic goals and flagships, and the dissemination of and a data handling plan were not adequately described in some applications. We therefor urge all applicants who plan to reapply next year to read through the call thoroughly, answer the questions and especially follow the how-tos and guidelines to better their chances of receiving funding.

All funded projects are listed in the attachment. If your project is not in the list, you did not receive funding. As the grant is administered administratively individual grades or feedback is not distributed. The official allocation letters to those who received funding will be send out in February 2018 and the funds distributed at the latest by March 2018.
If your project is listed as funded, you have received full funding (to the nearest whole 1000 NOK) and can spend the funds according to your budget.
If your project is listed as partly funded, you will receive less than the amount you applied for, mostly because it was adjusted to comply with the AFG terms and conditions. In this case, you will receive a mail within the next few weeks listing the details.

Remember that it is mandatory to contact SSF in advance if you need to make changes to your budget or project. The reporting for AFG 2018 will be in October/November 2018. It is your responsibility as a grant holder to ensure that the necessary reports are delivered on time. SSF has the authority to rescind the grant if requirements are not met.